Patient and Public Involvement event helps explore 'What fills your heart and keeps your wellbeing in balance?'

The Eating Disorders Health Integration Team (EDHIT) held a successful Patient & Public Involvement (PPI) event at the Vassall Centre, Bristol on the evening of Wednesday 25 February 2025.  The event coincided with Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

The focus of the event was a mindful mandala workshop, led by local community artist Sayambrita Mukherjee.

Prior to the event, participants were encouraged to submit materials that reflected on ‘what fills your heart and keeps your wellbeing in balance?’. 12 submissions were received via Padlet. Posts included reference to art and being creative, music, ice skating, stonemasonry, poetry, and being outside and watching the weather.

During the evening, participants created an array of beautiful mandala artwork, taking time out to bring a sense of centre and balance into their lives.

The event included a performance by UWE student Chandini Sree, showcasing her eating disorder research through Bharatnatyam dance – ‘An exploration of the development of disordered eating attitudes and behaviour in South Asian university students in the UK subsequent to migration’. See her slides.

Signposting information in relation to eating disorders and disordered eating was available, including our EDHIT Eating Disorder Support & Resources guide.

Overall feedback from the event was extremely positive and there was a keen interest in similar future events being held.

“Absolutely loved meeting the team at the mandala making workshop. It’s been such a heartwarming valuable experience which has definitely made a difference to me. Thank you so much 😊”

“This event helped me feel more grounded, centred and balanced. It was a very safe environment to be in”

“Made me feel better talking to others”

All participants said that they would recommend attending the event to others, “Absolutely 100%”.